The new version of the targeted rate on accommodation providers proposed in the Auckland Council’s draft Long-Term Plan is still inefficient and ill-conceived, according to Tourism Industry Aotearoa.
“The proposed expansion needs to be seriously modified if it is to proceed and it would be preferable for the targeted rate to be dropped altogether,” said Chris Roberts, Chief Executive of Tourism Industry Aotearoa.
Currently, around 300 Auckland properties where hotels and motels are operated are paying the Accommodation Provider Targeted Rate. In the coming financial year, the Auckland Council is planning to start applying the rate to some of the properties listed on peer-to-peer (P2P) accommodation websites like Airbnb and Bookabach.
“The basic premise of the rate - that accommodation providers should be stuck with the destination promotion bill for all of Auckland, even though they only get 9 percent of the visitor spend - remains completely unfair and we will continue to be vocal about that,” Mr Roberts said.
“However, the council has at least acknowledged that there are thousands of other accommodation providers in the city. Many properties on Airbnb, which lists over 12,000 properties, are operated as commercial businesses, and they should be treated as such.”
The Auckland Council plan is that any property that is listed on P2P accommodation websites as an ‘entire home’ for 28 or more nights a year will be charged the targeted rate. In addition, homes that are listed for 29-135 nights a year will have 25 percent of their capital value treated as commercial for general rate assessment purposes, and those listed for more than 135 nights will be treated as fully commercial.
“P2P accommodation offers additional choice to consumers and fills an important need, especially over peak periods. By including them in the reach of the rate, the proposed changes will lessen some of the inequities of the original scheme,” added Mr Roberts.
Nevertheless, the tourism industry is still unhappy with the preferential treatment for P2P operators that lingers in the Auckland Council’s current plan.
“Property owners that rent a ‘room only’ and those that rent out their properties for less than 29 nights a year are completely exempt. Why? Room-only properties make up nearly half of the supply on Airbnb. They should have to pay the APTR like everyone else who is paid for providing visitor accommodation. Also, homes that are rented out for 135 nights a year are not merely 25 percent commercial, as the Council indicates they should be considered. 135 nights per annum equates to 37 percent of the year. A 65 percent residential / 35 percent business split is more acceptable.”
“The draft LTP said that officers would consider a range of approaches to identify the online providers, progressing from web searches and information from neighbours/competitors, to the introduction of bylaws, Unitary Plan amendments and legislative change.
“We encourage the Council to bring interested parties to the table, including TIA, Airbnb and Bookabach, to assist with finding the right solutions.” Said Mr Roberts.
